A Returning The Walking Dead: Dead City Character Exposes The Truth About Season 2's Big Negan Fake-Out

   

The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 looks set to be filled with major twists and unpredictable moments, but a crucial character return may have already exposed Negan's big fake-out. After an action-packed first six episodes, Dead City season 1's ending perfectly laid the foundations for the spinoff's return, setting the stage for the upcoming plot. Season 2 will see Maggie return to Manhattan to confront Negan and end their feud once and for all, while Negan will reluctantly work with the show's villains to help them seize ultimate control of the island, creating a fun and compelling narrative.

The Walking Dead: Dead City sets season 2 release date, releases full scene

However, the addition of Kim Coates to Dead City season 2's cast will give the heroes even more antagonists to overcome, while Perile and Hershel's returns should add important subplots to the story. Unfortunately, another character who is set to appear in the spinoff will make Negan's role slightly more predictable, seemingly spoiling his big twist. Although he was apprehensive about joining the Dama and the Croat, Negan partnering up with the show's villains created questions over whether he would revert to his darker past, but Ginny's return seems like it has already answered this mystery.

Ginny’s Return In Dead City 2 Suggests Evil Negan Isn’t Really Back

Negan Will Undoubtedly Prioritize Ginny Over His Control Of Manhattan

walking-dead-city-why-ginny-not-talk

With Ginny making a small appearance in Dead City season 2's trailer, her involvement all but confirms Negan won't permanently return to his villainous roots. The Walking Dead has heavily teased Negan's evil side making a comeback in the spinoff show, but this no longer seems to be the case. To blend in with his new allies and avoid being exiled or killed, he will have to put on a bit of a performance and show off the sinister traits that the Croat admired during the Saviors' reign, but it doesn't seem like he will fully embrace this darker side.

Ginny's return means she will likely cross paths with Negan at some point, which will certainly have an impact on the former antagonist. Even if he is slipping off the deep end, seeing Ginny will change his priorities and shift his focus to protecting his adopted daughter, rather than controlling Manhattan. While we may still see some grizzly acts and violent moments, it's hard to imagine Negan becoming a major antagonist again so long as Ginny is around.

He had already made a lot of progress in the main show, but helping protect Ginny seemed to make Negan an even better man, which is why I think her presence will prevent the show's joint protagonist from becoming truly evil once again. The scene at the end of season 2's trailer also showed Negan being restrained and shouting in anger, suggesting his cover may have been blown because of Ginny, further emphasizing that the fake-villain twist may have already been exposed.

 

Negan’s Fake Villain Persona Is The Right Decision For Dead City Season 2

Having Negan Revert To His Villainous Ways Would Ruin His Character Development

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan pointing his baseball bat at someone in The Walking Dead: Dead City

Assuming Negan's teased villain role is just a fake-out, some fans may be a little bit disappointed, but it's undoubtedly the right decision. While I loved Negan as an antagonist during seasons 7 and 8, making him evil again would undermine all the character development he has gone through since the All Out War arc. Having him pretend to be a villain means we will still get some of the classic moments that made the character so iconic, as his trash-talk and creative intimidation can help deceive Dead City's main villains while he plots an escape.

Season 1 already provided an excellent scene where Negan smashed a man's head through glass panels before killing him, all to intimidate his enemies. Therefore, season 2 could continue showing this side of him, while also highlighting the mental toll that comes with adopting this persona once again. Negan will even have an electrified Lucille replacement in his Walking Dead spinoff, allowing him to really get into character and provide great entertainment, without ruining all the progress he has made over the years.

Forcing him to confront his past will make for great viewing, and watching him play the bad guy while realizing it's wrong could tap into that emotional side we rarely see with Negan.

Forcing him to confront his past will make for great viewing, and watching him play the bad guy while realizing it's wrong could tap into that emotional side we rarely see with Negan. It will also be fun to see that charm and charisma be used in some morally dubious ways as it has been previously, but having Negan regret his actions and continue to look for a way out of New York is the best way to handle his character, and I'm confident Dead City will do him justice.

 

What Will Ginny’s Role Be In The Walking Dead: Dead City’s Second Season?

Ginny Looks Destined To Act As Negan's Moral Compass When She Reaches Manhattan

Ginny pointing a gun and looking angry in Dead City season 2

Season 2's trailer didn't give us much to go on in terms of what's next for Ginny, but it looks like she will also find her way to Manhattan. She was spotted very briefly holding a gun in the teaser for Dead City's next chapter, meaning whoever is at the other end of it is bound to hold some kind of importance. Whether she manages to convince Maggie to bring her to Manhattan as Hershel does, or she manages to sneak onto the island herself, it seems likely Ginny will also make rescuing Negan her main priority.

The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 will premiere on May 4, 2025.

Her combat scenes will presumably be limited as Ginny isn't the most experienced when it comes to killing walkers or people, but the fact she has a gun suggests we might see a little more action from her. However, acting as Negan's moral compass will seemingly be Ginny's true role. She can ensure he doesn't go too far while posing as a villain and help him make the right decisions for the people of Manhattan in Dead City season 2, but this could also put Ginny in danger, assuming she's the person Negan is calling out for in the trailer.